System and method for managing electric vehicle travel

Abstract

An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and includes a power management module configured to receive data associated with travel being proposed by an end user of an electric vehicle. The power management module is configured to suggest a starting time for the travel based on time of use (ToU) rates for electricity consumption and a current level of power in the electric vehicle. In more specific embodiments, the data associated with the travel includes a starting location, an ending location, and a proposed drive time. In other embodiments, the power management module is further configured to interface with a mapping tool in suggesting the starting time for the end user. The power management module can be configured to obtain the ToU rates from a utility, and the ToU rates are provided as a function of time.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 a power management module configured to receive data associated with travel being proposed by an end user of an electric vehicle, wherein the power management module is configured to suggest a starting time for the travel based on time of use (ToU) rates for electricity consumption and a current level of power in the electric vehicle, wherein the power management module is further configured to interface with a utility in suggesting a different time for the travel. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the data associated with the travel includes a starting location, an ending location, and a proposed drive time. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power management module is further configured to interface with a mapping tool in suggesting the starting time for the end user. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power management module is configured to obtain the ToU rates from a utility, and the ToU rates are provided as a function of time. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power management module is further configured to identify at least one potential charging station for the electric vehicle to use during the travel. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power management module uses at least one additional factor for suggesting the starting time, the factor being selected from a group of factors consisting of:
 a) topography associated with the travel; 
 b) traffic patterns associated with the travel; and 
 c) weather conditions associated with the travel. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power management module is further configured to identify a geographical area for the travel of the end user, the identification of the geographical area being used for delivery of one or more advertisements to the end user for one or more business entities in the geographic area. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power management module is further configured to interface with a home energy controller in order to transfer power to and from the electric vehicle via a residence associated with the end user, and wherein the power management module is further configured to interface with the home energy controller in order to borrow or return power between multiple electric vehicles. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power management module is further configured to interface with a calendar tool associated with the end user and to coordinate a transfer of power to or from the electric vehicle based on information within the calendar tool. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the suggestion of the different time results in a discounted energy rate for the end user. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the discounted energy rate for the end user is forfeited if the end user commits to the different time and subsequently departs from the suggested different time. 
     
     
       12. A method, comprising:
 receiving data associated with travel being proposed by an end user of an electric vehicle; 
 suggesting by a processor a starting time for the travel based on time of use (ToU) rates for electricity consumption and a current level of power in the electric vehicle; and 
 interfacing with a utility in suggesting a different time for the travel. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the data associated with the travel includes a starting location, an ending location, and a proposed drive time. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the suggesting further includes interfacing with a mapping tool in order to identify an associated geographic area for the travel for the end user. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ToU rates are provided as a function of time, and wherein the suggesting further includes identifying at least one potential charging station for the electric vehicle to use during the travel. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 identifying a geographical area for the travel of the end user, the identification of the geographical area being used for delivery of one or more advertisements to the end user for one or more business entities in the geographic area. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 interfacing with a calendar tool associated with the end user in order to coordinate a transfer of power to or from the electric vehicle based on information within the calendar tool. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the suggestion of the different time results in a discounted energy rate for the end user, and wherein a portion of the discounted energy rate for the end user is forfeited if the end user commits to the different time and subsequently departs from the suggested different time. 
 
     
     
       19. A system, comprising:
 means for receiving data associated with travel being proposed by an end user of an electric vehicle; 
 means for suggesting a starting time for the travel based on time of use (ToU) rates for electricity consumption and a current level of power in the electric vehicle; and 
 means for interfacing with a utility in suggesting a different time for the travel. 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , wherein the data associated with the travel includes a starting location, an ending location, and a proposed drive time, and wherein the means for suggesting the starting time is further configured to interface with a mapping tool in suggesting the starting time for the end user. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 means for identifying a geographical area for the travel of the end user, the identification of the geographical area being used for delivery of one or more advertisements to the end user for one or more business entities in the geographic area. 
 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 means for interfacing with a calendar tool associated with the end user in order to coordinate a transfer of power to or from the electric vehicle based on information within the calendar tool. 
 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the suggestion of the different time results in a discounted energy rate for the end user, and wherein a portion of the discounted energy rate for the end user is forfeited if the end user commits to the different time and subsequently departs from the suggested different time. 
 
     
     
       24. Logic encoded in non-transitory media for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to:
 receive data associated with travel being proposed by an end user of an electric vehicle; 
 suggest a starting time for the travel based on time of use (ToU) rates for electricity consumption and a current level of power in the electric vehicle; and 
 interface with a utility in suggesting a different time for the travel. 
 
     
     
       25. The logic of  claim 24 , wherein the data associated with the travel includes a starting location, an ending location, and a proposed drive time. 
     
     
       26. The logic of  claim 24 , wherein the code is further operable to interface with a mapping tool in order to identify an associated geographic area for the travel for the end user. 
     
     
       27. The logic of  claim 24 , wherein the ToU rates are provided as a function of time, and wherein the code is further operable to identify at least one potential charging station for the electric vehicle to use during the travel. 
     
     
       28. The logic of  claim 24 , wherein the code is further operable to identify a geographical area for the travel of the end user, the identification of the geographical area being used for delivery of one or more advertisements to the end user for one or more business entities in the geographic area.